The character is the spouse of Howard’s no-nonsense patriarch and the supportive mother of Jaden Smith’s Daryn. The movie, which is filming in Toronto, centers on 17-year-old Daryn’s love for his cancer-diagnosed girlfriend Isabelle, played by Cara Delavigne, and his desire to make the little time they have left together as rich and fulfilling as possible.

Jaden’s father, Will Smith is producing the film under his Overbrook Entertainment production banner with his two business partners.

Howard earned an Oscar nomination for his role as DJay in the 2005 “Hustle and Flow” and has also starred in the “Iron Man,” “Four Brothers,” and “Red Tails.” Last year, he snagged a leading in role in Fox’s limited series Wayward Pines, and will appear in the upcoming film “Thirty Eight” with Paula Patton and Mike Epps.